Author Webpage

In the meantime, while you're here, pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee or a cuppa tea, have a piece of pie and always feel free to speak your mind, and your heart, here at Meanderings and Muses.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Reaching the Starting Line by Jenny Milchman

Jenny Milchmanis a literary suspense writer whose debut novel just sold. COVER OF SNOW will be published by Ballantine in early 2013. Her short fiction has appeared on Amazon bestseller lists, and another story is forthcoming in an anthology called ADIRONDACK MYSTERIES II. Jenny teaches courses on polishing, pitching, and publishing your work for New York Writers Workshop. She co-hosts the series Writing Matters, which draws speakers from both coasts to events held at a local independent bookstore. Last year she foundedTake Your Child to a Bookstore Day, which was celebrated in 30 states, Canada, England, and this year spread to Australia. Jenny welcomes authors in the Made It Moments forum on her blog. Please look for her at http://jennymilchman.com

"Reaching the Starting Line"
by Jenny Milchman

This spring, after eleven years of trying, I finally reached the starting line.

I received an offer on my novel, a literary mystery called COVER OF SNOW.

I can’t refer to this as the finish line, even though it certainly felt like I ran a marathon to get here, because all the really hard work starts now. Editing the manuscript (which I am doing right now, having just received my new editor’s brilliant thoughts—-this is the ninth version; it was the eighth one that sold). Reading galleys. (Oh! I can hardly wait to see this thing called a galley. It feels like the crown jewels to me. Or the Emerald City). Figuring out how (whether) to promote. More and more authors, such as originally self-published sensation M.J. Rose, say that the best promotion is writing more books. So—writing that next book.

But it was definitely something, an 11 year something in my case, to arrive at this point. How did it happen? It’s a story unique to the mystery and suspense community, which I liken to a circle of friends.

I’ve been represented by three great agents who between them found 15 great editors who wanted to make offers on one or another of my books. The editorial board remained the sticking point—-with potential deals being thwarted for reasons that over the years became less about craft, which I still needed to learn, and more about things that pointed to the sometimes arbitrary nature of the submissions process.

During this time, I went to readings and book signings by authors I admired. Laura Lippman. Tana French. Jonathan Kellerman (who played guitar). I watched, and learned, and yearned for the day I might be up there.

I also wrote to authors. And because authors—-I think especially in the mystery/suspense world, although this may be my bias—-are a forthcoming, supportive bunch, I got responses back. I started to make not connections but friends.

It just made sense that when I read good news about these friends, on listservs like DorothyL, I would drop them a quick did-you-see-this note? I was always happy to see achievements by people who were making it in this world, including some who had offered me encouraging words and support—-even going so far as to give an unpublished manuscript a blurb.

Then someone offered to do even more than that.

One of my favorite authors, whose most recent book had been mentioned in at least a dozen Best Of lists last year, wrote to me one cold, late winter day. I felt as chill and desperate as the weather. My latest almost-offer had just fizzled—-and it was our last shot.

“I just want to tell you that I love this book,” wrote Nancy Pickard, in an email that now hangs on my wall. “And if it doesn’t let me down in the end—and I can’t imagine that it will—then I will want not just to offer you a blurb, but to put it in my own editor’s hands.”

I don’t know to express how grateful I was for that email. (And it’s a bad thing for a writer not to be able to express something in words). The gratitude went beyond words, because Nancy’s response buoyed me for weeks. They carried me through my latest disappointment like a wave does a surfer. And though I didn’t think they’d do much more than that, it was enough, more than enough.

By now I knew how subjective the process was. What was the chance of an editor liking my work even if one of her authors did? And even if she did like it, what were the chances that she’d be able to make an offer?

I don’t know what the chances were, but somehow it happened.

Not only did Nancy’s illustrious editor love my book, but in a blindingly fast few weeks-—publishing time is best measured on a geologic scale—-she had acquired it.

After eleven years I was going to be a published author.

And it happened because of a friend I had made in this wonderful world of mystery.

I am uncomfortable with the whole promotion thing—I much prefer to be getting the word out about other writers’ books and triumphs. So when my novel comes out—when I finally reach that starting line—another dear friend from the mystery world has done me the honor of agreeing to announce the news.

Jenny, I'm so happy that your hard work paid off. I know how long and frustrating that road is. Hang on to your enthusiasm while you wait to see the book in print. And by all means, write another great book. Can't wait to read it.

Kaye, not only have you said it, but you make me feel it every time time we are in touch. Thank you for having me to your wonderful blog. I hope M&M is here for mystery lovers always. It's truly a home away from home.

Brenda, thank you for reading and for your kind response. It gives me a tingle to imagine people reading the book. In fact, imagining it, it's hard to sit still in my chair.

My journey was indeed filled with...valleys? And if I can ever help anyone with ideas about how to climb out of them, I would love to.

Jenny, what a wonderful story. Your journey, like any, had its high and low points, and you've come out the other end a published author. Many warm wishes, congratulations and high hopes for this book. I cannot wait to read it. And I will always be grateful for the kind words from you right here on M&M that buoyed ME for days. My dear, I know the feeling, and I thank you. You deserve every moment of this.

Very happy for you, Jenny! And you are correct in your estimation of the traditional publishing world. It isn't the writing, or even the story that usually holds an author back from seeing their work in print, it is the chronically open, bottomless manhole of the commercial side of the business many of us fall into and just can't climb back out of without a helping hand. Looks like you, and your book, found that helping hand.

Hi Brenda and Ken. I'm so glad to see your comments and meet you here. Brenda, thanks for another case of the tingles. I hope I "buck others" in some way--for sure, I haven't been able to do what was done for me. But maybe someday. Which speaks to Ken's comment. Everybody needs a helping hand and when you get one the result can be just exactly what you needed.

Jenny, great post, and great title! You've always been so willing to give others a helping hand (including me!), it's especially fitting that that's how you ended up getting into the hands of the right editor. Can't wait to see your book in print!

Jenny, you have earned this, and it is with utmost pleasure and pride I tell everyone about my marvelous friend who is going to (finally!!) be published. Oh and I make sure to tell them, it's a must read!

Your perseverance and determination are truly inspiring, Jenny! I think I will be coming back and reading this again... and again... whenever I feel the need for a little inspiration.

I love the idea that when one puts 'finis' to a story/novel, we are really just beginning a new adventure. Instead of settling into a twilight, we should always be looking toward the next dawn... the same way we live our lives.

I love too, what you say about talking up and helping others. I would rather talk about someone else's work than my own. Since I began writing a couple of years ago, I have gotten so much support and encouragement from other writers... their help has been invaluable and it means so much to me... I want to return that in whatever way I can.

Again, congratulations on the publication of your first novel, Jenny. I am very much looking forward to reading COVER OF SNOW. I am sure that I shall want to do a small review as well when I am finished reading it.

IT'S ALL RELATIVE

WOMEN'S SPACES WOMEN'S PLACES

CLOTHES LINES from 75 Western North Carolina Women Writers

CLOTHES LINES from 75 Western North Carolina Women Writers

I'm a lover of words and a lover of images.

The photos you see in the blog posts were mostly shot by me or by husband Donald. Or, they're old family photos - a lovely little benefit of being a part of families who recognized the beauty of preserving our history through photography.

If the photos are not ours, I have tried whenever possible to caption or link the photos to their source. This hasn't always been possible as there are a lot of uncredited images available through the internet.

My sincere thanks to the generosity of so many talented photographers who so graciously share their work for so many of us to enjoy, share and learn from.

IF you see a photo here that is a copyright infringement, please send me an email (barleykw @ appstate dot com) and I'll remove it immediately.

Books Read

Every year I promise myself I'm going to keep a log of books I'm reading. And I immediately forget. Then I remember again, but only after I've already read a few books, but can't be sure I'll remember them all and so - - can't bring myself to start the list. It's sort of like missing the first 30 minutes of a movie. I just can't watch it if I've missed the beginning. And being the anal ol' soul I am, I can't bring myself to start a list if I can't be sure it's going to be a complete one.So.I decided to keep a list during 2010 and found it to be a fun thing. Especially for a compulsive list-maker like myself.

FTC Disclosure Notice

FTC has a regulation which went into effect in December, 2009 which says, basically - "Amateur Bloggers to Disclose Freebies or Be Fined." Significantly fined. So. Since I happen to be an amateur blogger who sometimes receives free books, here's my required FTC Disclosure Notice: Dear FTC - Regarding review copies of books obtained for this blog. No other compensation is accepted beyond review copies of books - ever. When I do write a review, or opinion, the source of the book cited will be disclosed in the post in which the review/opinon appears. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.